It is difficult to think of a cricketer right now who stands so far above his
team-mates in stature as Michael Clarke, the Australia captain.

Others, such as Alastair Cook and Hashim Amla, for example, can challenge
Clarke for productivity, but they are surrounded by other great cricketers,
while Clarke stands alone, a lonely reminder of Australia’s past and a
beacon of hope for the future.

His stature within Australian cricket is partly a reflection on his sublime
form, which has lately been as devastating as any batsman in the game, and,
even though it is early days, his intuitive